Considerations on Esketamine for Depression

Considerations on Esketamine for Depression by Ivar Rambags, Marco Aqil, and Jennifer Them Back in 1956, ketamine was originally derived from phencyclidine as a shorter acting analogue with less delirious side effects [1]. By then still known as CI-581, ketamine’s first clinical results were published by Corssen and Domino in 1966 and revealed itself to […]

Journal Club #10 – Thijs Roes: “The War on Drugs”

Join us for a unique talk held by, Thijs Roes, where he will discuss “The War On Drugs; why it was started, how it evolved, and what we can do to end it” (Facebook event). Thijs Roes is a science journalist who has worked across Europe and the United States extending reach on projects concerning […]

Psilocybin Treatment in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression – Lecture by Renske Blom (MD) and Metten Somers (MD, PhD)

There is renewed interest in the application of psychedelics in psychiatric care. This trial is the first that examines the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-treatment at a larger scale in participants with treatment resistant depression. We are joined by Renske Blom, resident psychiatry, MD (Sub-I of the psilocybin study) and Metten Somers, psychiatrist, MD , […]

Destigmatizing Ketamine – an Interview with Tharcila Chaves

Isolde de Jong started her internship with APRA in November 2018, ever since she is reporting activities within the organization. As a student of applied psychology with a main interest in psychedelic research, she developed a strong curiosity in the biological mechanisms of certain entheogenic plants and other substances. With this internship she hopes to […]

Prolonged Intake of Psychedelics: Tolerance and other Sequelae – Lecture by T. Buchborn (PhD) and L. Kärtner (MSc)

Prolonged Intake of Psychedelics – Tobias Buchborn (PhD) & Laura Kärtner (MSc) This lecture is free of charge, but you can support APRA by becoming a member! RSVP to reserve a spot: APRA/CNCR Members Non-Members Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, WN Building, Room D107. Please note that the VU campus is not very […]

Journal Club #9 – Ivar Rambags: “Restructuring Consciousness: the Psychedelics State in Light of Integrated Information Theory”

In this Journal Club, Ivar Rambags will discuss the paper by A.R. Gallimore: “Restructuring consciousness – the psychedelic state in light of integrated information theory” (abstract below). The meeting point is as usual the Main Hall of the VU main building, at 7PM on Tuesday January 29th. Entrance is free for APRA members who have […]

From Molecules to Consciousness

“It does not seem to be an exaggeration to say that psychedelics, used responsibly and with proper caution, would be for psychiatry what the microscope is for biology and medicine or the telescope is for astronomy. These tools make it possible to study important processes that under normal circumstances are not available for direct observation.” […]

On the Language of the Psychedelic Renaissance

Food for thought: an in-depth discourse analysis of the different types of language used in popular media to describe the “psychedelic renaissance” (thesis by C. J. Büche, in the link), and some related reflections on the language used in scientific media to describe psychedelics (essay by M. Aqil, below). The De-Politicisation of Psychedelics by […]

Journal Club #8 – Tharcila Chaves: Ketamine’s afterglow in treating depression and chronic pain

Journal club #8 will be lead by PhD candidate Tharcila Chaves from the University of Groningen. She will discuss her work “Ketamine’s afterglow in treating depression and chronic pain” (abstract below). Facebook event The meeting point will be at the main hall of the VU main building. Look out for our sign. Following this talk, […]

Journal Club #7 – Dr. Rudolf Faust: “Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity”

Date/Time: Wednesday November 14th, 6PM Location: Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging (AMC) Meibergdreef 75, 1105 BK Amsterdam https://goo.gl/maps/xgofdsKpRFv Facebook event In this Journal Club, Dr. Rudolf Faust, currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, will present the paper by Ly, Calvin, et al. “Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity.” Cell reports 23.11 […]